Vinalhaven voters approve $2.5 million budget

Vinalhaven — Residents voted to approve a $2.5 million municipal budget at the June 18 annual town meeting. It is nearly unchanged from the current budget.

Fifty-three voters attended the meeting, which lasted about two and a half hours. Vinalhaven has a total of 1,010 registered voters.

A question of whether to appropriate $53,000 to aid Vinalhaven Eldercare Services, an assisted living facility, generated the most discussion at the meeting, according to Town Manager Marjorie Stratton.

Stratton said there was a motion to vote on the article by written ballot, but the motion failed to gain a majority vote. The final vote was a clear majority in favor, she said.

Taxes to Knox County for services are $506,130 and School Administrative District 8 budget is unchanged at $2.7 million. Stratton said she is hopeful the tax rate will remain the same at $9.95 per $1,000 of assessed property.

Residents also voted to support a $650,000 paving project.

The budget breakdown by department is as follows:

Administration — $302,156, up $23,732

Town property — $140,544, down $5,135

Law enforcement — $110,887, up $10,132

Fire department — $118,668, up $3,051

Ambulance — $167,706, up $22,642

Transfer station — $289,004, down $18,685

Public works — $355,570, up $27,351

Courier Publications Copy Editor Kim Lincoln can be reached at 594-4401 or by email at klincoln@villagesoup.com.